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'Even gods expose'
After having spent a fair amount of time abroad, Metropolitan Top Model Sharan Mishra claims the women here don't show half of what their western counterparts do. That, she says, is surprising because Indian culture doesn't teach people to cover-up. See Pictures
It is their body of work that helps sells clothes and merchandise worth crores. But what's life really like beneath the fig leaf? India's top models reveal all.
"I am totally comfortable exposing on ramp. If you have it, then why not go ahead and flaunt it? A model can't back out everytime he or she is asked to wear a revealing outfit. It's part of a job that must be done. Moreover people are accepting nudity on ramp. In fact they want to see more and more provocative dresses. Exposure is integral to fashion and you have to learn to live with it," says Nina Manuel who got herself body painted for a cola shoot.
After having spent a fair amount of time in Paris and Milan, Metropolitan Top Model Sharan Mishra claims models here don't show half of what their western counterparts do. That, she says, is surprising because Indian culture doesn't exactly teach people to cover-up. "Look at international models and you will know what exposure is. In India the designs tend to be far more subdued keeping in mind the sensibilities of the audience. I feel a designer should be allowed his creative space. But if exposure is called for, then it should be as positively portrayed as possible. It must not look overdone or imposed.
"And why just talk of nudity on the ramp? Hasn't nudity always been a part of our culture? Even our Gods expose! Although they are often portrayed semi-clad, that doesn't make them look vulgar. It's rather sensual. Why then is it wrong for models to wear provocative clothes? It all depends on the way you see people," she insists.
According to catwalk queen Indrani Dasgupta: "Body exposure has always been prized in fashion, essentially for its shock value. If the people who are watching are scandalised, then it means that the designer's creation is a success! But yes, fashion in India still caters to very select audience that can understand the intricacies of it."
Although nudity on the ramp is by and large accepted, model Mehar Bhasin says there's a certain amount of doublespeak that creates problems. "Models expose to attract people, so they can relate to the clothes, fall in love with them and are eventually lured into buying from the designers. But how much skin gets shown also depends on the kind of girls entering the profession today. There are many who hope to get instant fame by exposing more than what is required. The public too seems to have a dual mentality...they will see a show, gossip about it, create hype and then forget. Let me tell you that Indians love watching nudity; there's nothing wrong with that but one should know how to appreciate it in a positive manner."
